A/N

Please excuse the extensive liberty I've taken with the backstory below. If there are any loose ends I've forgotten to tie up in the introduction, or you have an idea that makes more sense than what I've written, please let me know!

There will be four parts to the story, each suggesting a big change in Eragon's personality and life events. The numbers in brackets (15-18), identify Eragon's age.

Plot: Pre-Saphira, Arya meets an eighteen year old Eragon, whom she trains and travels with. Follows a twenty year timeline of their interactions before he becomes a Rider.

PART ONE

Introduction
(15-18)

After a grievous attack on a little village called Carvahall, the inhabitants, lead by Brom, Roran, and Eragon depart for the protection of the Varden. They leave with the secret possession of a stone, a blue stone. Sent there by an elf named Arya, whom was kidnapped and taken to Gil'ead, none within the party know it's real value, for it was a dragon egg; the hopes of the entire free world in Brom's safe keeping.

They leave just in time, the Empire and a Shade called Durza pursue them across Alagaesia. Along the way, Brom trains the villagers to fight. He and Eragon speak of many things over fire light: the lore of the Riders, the history of Alagaesaia and his experiences as they travel together. Brom shows Eragon his magical powers, and it helps to protect and shield them from enemies, unfortunately, Eragon shows no natural ability for this.

A lone traveller called Murtagh joins their party. He is shady, and none know his background, but he is skillful and provides Eragon with a sparring partner and helps protect their people when the Empire closes in. Brom is injured in a valiant battle, Eragon saves him by imitating a Dragon Rider.

Eragon is taken to Gil'ead, where he finds out there is an elf in the cell next door. Whilst their captors wait for Durza to come back to torture the unfortunate pair, Murtagh, Brom and Roran break in and save both Eragon and Arya.

In the escape, Brom reopens his wound and is vulnerable to attack – he is hurt further and dies on the way to the Varden. Before he passes, Brom reveals that he is Eragon's father, and was once a Dragon Rider, who had been parted from his dragon due to her death. Murtagh refuses to continue on to Farthen Dûr, and continues to travel alone in the wilds.

Ajihad, the leader of the Varden, is slain as he rode out to defend Eragon and his company from their pursuers, having been told by scouts given Brom's message by Eragon that said they had objects of immense value with them. Nasuada, his daughter, takes his place and welcomes the village of Carvahall to the city of Farthen Dûr and the Varden. She offers them their own area to set up their village, supplies and an indefinite stay.

As instructed by Brom, Eragon turns over the stone to the Varden. Both it, and Arya are spirited away. They do not see Arya again for the next few years.

During this time, Eragon and Roran, as well as many men from their village, join the ranks of the Varden. Roran becomes a fearsome soldier, and is given men to train. Eragon is too young yet to join the main forces formally, but is part of the city guard and helps out where he can in preparation for his future in the army. Little does he know, fate has much more in store for the blood of Palancar…

Often when the night-demons became unbearable, Arya left her bed to wander in the darkness of the Varden. The dampness of the autumn air leading into the chill of winter helped the city sink into a state of seemingly perpetual gloom, and the bustle of the streets seemed less, as if everyone was moving in slow-motion.

She thought it fitting for the state of her mind. It was one of these restless nights, whilst she crept along the ramparts on the outer wall of Tronjheim, that –

"Hello!"

She almost fell off the side in surprise.

Recovering as elegantly as she could, and stepping into the middle of the walkway, turned to glare at a shape in an alcove.

A young handsome human was grinning at her.

His face was half in shadow, but his smile was kind. She let go of the handle of her knife, hiding the movement by brushing her cloak over the scabbard.

The boy peered closer, and suddenly snapped to attention, "Good evening, my lady."

"What is your business here?" She asked him with authority. His presence tugged on something in her memory, or a dream.

Arya looked down to observe him head to toe, while he tried not to fidget. The youth had the lanky, lean build of a man not yet filled in. He wore clean, neat, but rough clothing and his armour underneath was naught but a thick leather jerkin, helmet and dented greaves. A military issue sword hung bare at his hip. So he was poor, she thought, but obviously well brought up.

Nervously, he stuttered, "I'm on the night watch, my lady - taking my break while my dwarven partner is patrolling."

It had been a new policy – for the Varden, whom the dwarven kingdom had taken in and sheltered for so many years, were to take up new duties in return for their protection. They were to patrol with the dwarven soldiers to perpetuate a culture of tolerance and kinship.

This thought did not deter Arya from her observation, for she had a keen memory and it was strange she had forgotten him. "I have seen you before," she said shortly, still put out she had been so distracted that a human had caught her off guard.

She watched as he stepped beneath the moonlight, "Yes, my father and I retrieved you from Gilead."

The darkness came tried to overwhelm her again at that name, and she concentrated on his voice, the shape of his face in order to control her breathing at the mention of the reason for her late night jaunt. That voice had kept her company from that wretched place to the Varden, and during the moments of lucidity, she could only remember the gentleness of his expression.

"Brom was your father?"

She took a better look at his boyish face; at his golden hair cut short like a villager for they did not have the luxury of regular washing, at his darker thick brows, under which familiar knowing eyes watched her intently.

He paused at her tone of familiarity, but did not ask. For which she respected enough to continue their conversation.

"What is your name?"

"Eragon," he said cheerfully, loosening up at her vague interest.

She paused, "That is a heavy name to bear."

"So I've been told," He shrugged. "It will be my eighteenth birth year in three months, so I'll prove my worth when I join the Varden's main army."

Arya watched him speak, sadness tugging inside as much as she tried to surpress the instinct. Another boy led to the slaughter. Brom's son, no less. Untrained, and mostly uneducated. So bright, but snuffed out within a few years.

"- I will teach you." She found herself saying, cutting off his monologue, "A life for a life. I will pay my debt."

Eragon looked shocked at her admission. He swallowed, "Whose life?"

She looked directly at him, "Yours."

A/N

I'm also still looking for a beta/s! Feather, how do I get in touch with you?

Once upon a time, I wrote for this fandom under a different penname - I used to be around when authors like Aeronnen and SimplySupreme were still updating (ah weren't those the days). Crazy that after a decade I'm back, but since Book 5 hasn't been released, I have been unable to shake the unfinished Arya / Eragon love story. I'm planning to finally get it out of my system with my upcoming fics.

I'm not one to hold chapters hostage, but it would be nice to know if there's anyone still around who is still reading - let me know by way of a review or PM!